The shamans all shared uncomfortable looks with each other, but Ris smirked from her seat. “Ironic,” she said, rising to walk across the floor. She stopped beside the body of her dead son. “But fitting. I believe it will be necessary should Shaman Danan hope to achieve what may be needed of her.” Her eyes rested on Jafir. “You have my permission to proceed, but with an oath that the artifact shall be utilized by Katsi Danan alone. No other may touch its power. Is that understood?”
Jafir opened his mouth then closed it. He stroked his mustache and let out a deep sigh. “I have not yet agreed to craft this enhancer. It would be a most potent weapon indeed.”
Ris raised her arms. “Which is why you must make it and swear that no other shaman shall use it. Katsi, would you willingly accept an enhancement artifact crafted of my son’s own blood?”
Katsi shrugged, her arms tinkling with the glittering jewelry. “If it ensures our victory, yes.”
“What Her Excellency means, Katsi,” Jafir said, “is that creating the artifact will also require some of your own blood to forge. To bind it to your soul and enhance the energy connecting you with the emperor’s power. It’s the most potent means of creating it, unless the emperor had willingly sacrificed himself for it.”
“Ah,” Katsi said, her expression dropping.
Migo understood very little of the laws that governed magical attributes, but it was his own willingness to forfeit his blood that had granted him the capacity to become Ashjagar.
“I was always counseled never to give my blood willingly,” Katsi said.
“Wise counsel indeed,” Ris said, “but these are extenuating circumstances.”
Migo clenched his fists. He didn’t like this. Once again, he felt that he and Katsi were at risk of becoming tools in somebody else’s hands. Neither of them truly understood what it meant to offer up their own blood for the use of magic. Katsi’s hesitancy put him even more on edge. “Can it still be made even without her blood?” he asked.
“Absolutely,” Jafir said, “though its potency for Katsi would be considerably more effective with it. It would make it a rival of most of those artifacts combined in a single item.”
Katsi bit her lip. Migo could feel her as she looked to the ceiling. The air practically permeated with her energy, even now. It was like the brightness of a fire among sparks. She was using her magic, and it made the burning in his chest simmer to life, invigorating him.
“Katsi,” he said cautiously.
Katsi looked sharply at Jafir. “I’ll do it, but you must swear that my blood will only be used in forging the artifact and nothing else.”
“On my honor, I swear it,” Jafir said without hesitation.
It still made Migo’s skin itch, but how hypocritical could he be to deny Kasti the decision to do something he’d done mere cycles ago? He swallowed down his disagreement and instead focused on the burning in his chest. Could he really transform into that monstrous version of Scales again? He had no idea if it was something he could simply will into place, and the only thing that had allowed him to change back was Katsi’s touch. It hadn’t cooled the burning in his chest by any means, but it had tamed it. Focused it. Placed it back into control.
“Then I will comply,” Katsi said, holding out her hand.
Jafir’s lips became a thin line as he reached into his coat and withdrew a needlelike device.
Migo barely suppressed a growl as Jafir ran a finger across Katsi’s wrist, turning her hand over before using the device to withdraw some of her blood.
“Remember,” Ris said. “This is the blood of the living given willingly. You may be unfamiliar with old code, Katsi, but by the honor of all shamanfolk present, we are under obligation not to allow your blood to fall into the wrong hands.”
“Then I am entrusting all of you,” Katsi said.
“And if any of you are unfaithful to this trust of honor,” Migo said, chest pulsing with the burning energy within, “then you shall answer to me.”
“We understand this is no small matter, Your Excellency,” Adrina said.
“How long will it take to create?” Katsi asked Jafir.
“About…” Jafir paused, stroking his mustache as he thought, “two days, perhaps? I will focus my efforts on nothing else.”
“Then we must be on our way,” Migo said. “People die even as we speak. Instruct us on the use of the traveling artifacts.” He was aware of the commanding way in which he spoke with these shamans. They had not, of course, sworn fealty to him, and he could only speculate where their true loyalties lied.
“Of course,” Jafir said. “Right this way.” He turned to lead them out of the room.
“Whatever happens, Katsi, return safely,” Adrina called.
Migo hadn’t thought Adrina to be the sentimental type, but he sensed the sincerity in the woman’s voice. Perhaps if they managed to save Wanay, he'd still be able to earn their loyalty.
Jafir led them to a hidden room that wound down a narrow staircase that went beneath the emperor’s bedroom. He muttered a word and touched the wall. A series of glowing stones came to life, illuminating the small space. Shelves covering the walls were filled with a random assortment of objects, mostly stones, twigs, or roots.
“Each of these objects are bewitched with a connection enchantment,” Jafir explained. “The enchanted object is called a portaj. The spell is triggered vocally by holding the portaj and saying specific words that will connect it back to its home. Holding it allows you to connect back as well.”
He handed Katsi a rock from the shelf. “This will take you there.” He then handed Katsi a small, finger-sized brick. “And this will bring you back. Are you ready?”
Katsi looked down at herself, still wearing the dress from yesterday. She didn’t even have her sword, but he hoped with any luck, she wouldn’t need it. “Ready as ever, I suppose,” she said.
Migo nodded, letting the heat in his chest continue to rise. His skin seemed to ripple as he took hold of the stone. A wave went down his spine, pressure building beneath his flesh. “Let’s go save Wanay, then,” he said, his voice grating with finality.
Chapter twenty-two
Wanay
Katsi opened her eyes and found herself beside the wall of the Scorched Waste, though it was surprisingly cool. Red rocks and sand spread around her.
Migo stood opposite her, holding on to the other end of the long stone, eyes wider than she’d ever seen on him. “That was certainly… quick,” he said, voice surprisingly steady.
“Right,” Katsi said, looking around to try and see where they’d ended up. “Now what?”
“Get up in the sky—see where things are. I’ll work on assuming a more… practical appearance.”
